Varicose veins are like twisted veins that may be blue or purple in color close to the skin’s surface. These can occur anywhere in the body but are mostly seen in legs and feet because of the pressure from the upper body and gravity.

Most people associate veins as being a cosmetic issue but a deeper problem may exist.

Varicose veins occur due to faulty valves, the blood in our body is pumped through veins back to our heart. Since the blood is running in an upward direction there are valves that prevent backflow, when these valves are faulty we experience excess volume and therefore increased pressure. Chronic pressure causes damage to our vessels which causes the varicose veins.

Varicose veins may not show any symptoms or they may cause some pain. Pain, burning, lower leg swelling, dry skin and itching near vein may be associated with varicose veins.
A venous duplex ultrasound is used to diagnose varicosities of the vein.

In the past, vein stripping (removal of vein by surgery) was the only procedure available to remove varicose veins. With advances in medical care, non-surgical procedures like compression therapy, Endo Venous LASER Ablation (EVLT), VenaSeal and Foam sclerosant (Varithena) became available. Vora Vein & PAD clinic is the first one in the Owensboro area to offer these procedures as they became available. The type of treatment is decided based on the symptoms and extent of the problem.

If you have symptomatic varicose veins, you should get them evaluated and treated immediately. Untreated varicose veins may lead to venous reflux getting worse and complications like bleeding varicose veins, stasis dermatitis, and venous ulcers.